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The Star
02-08-2025
- General
- The Star
Is it time for Malaysia to introduce a Maintenance of Parents Act?
My previous article on family feuds and the breakdown of family relationships drew strong reactions from people I know and those I don't know, from across the generations. I had obviously touched on a sensitive nerve that few want to acknowledge or do something about: The parents-children relationship. The general response was along the lines of, 'It's not that easy to forgive'; 'They have never treated me well'; 'I am happy to disown him'. Which leads me to asking, 'Is filial piety dead?', or has it evolved into what we see today – a different way of how adult children express care and concern for their ageing parents, not very different from how they shower their young children with gifts and trips? How do elderly parents want their children to love, honour and respect them? In the traditional family unit where generations lived under one roof, there was always someone around to look after the little children, and care for the elderly members. But this structure is fast disappearing, resulting in a kind of family diaspora, with the adult children moving out to seek better career prospects in other places. Elderly parents are left on their own in an empty nest. Eventually one spouse passes away, and that's when the big question comes up. What to do with the surviving ageing parent? The duty of adult children to care for their elderly parents is a core value in all religions. Filial piety extends beyond death with the practice of ancestral worship. Today both virtues are on the decline. The Chinese government had to step in with threats of public shame, fines and imprisonment for those found guilty of neglecting their elderly parents. Isn't there a better way than threats of punishment? It's no different across Asia. In India, the government passed the Senior Citizen Act, 2007, as an answer to the insecurities faced by older persons in the country. This law accords prime responsibility for the maintenance of parents on their children, grandchildren and even relatives. In Singapore, the Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA) was introduced in 1995, making it a legal obligation for children to support their parents. Initially the Tribunal for MPA received hundreds of cases each year. After several amendments were introduced, the average of 170 cases between 2008 and 2010 fell to an average of about 30 cases in recent years. This is a good sign that the MPA is effective as a deterrent to abandoning one's elderly parents. Which begs the question – why is our government so hesitant about introducing a similar MPA? We cannot ignore the rising number of elderly parents ending up in old folks' homes and shelters funded the government or by the community. More than 2,000 senior citizens were abandoned at hospitals nationwide from 2018 to 2022. In 2021 alone, 752 senior citizens were abandoned at hospitals by their family members. In Malaysia, adult children are not legally bound to provide care and maintenance for their elderly parents. There are a myriad of reasons why an increasing number of adult children don't or won't take care of their frail parents. These include: • No extra room at home for their parents; • No one is free to care for them at home; • Their children come first, not their parents; • They can't afford to support their parents; • Their parents are not easy to live with; • Their parents had abused them Looking at the situation from the adult children's standpoint, there are genuine cases where the adult children themselves are caught in a financial bind, having to support their own children and care for their parents at the same time. Their financial situation forces them to choose. Invariably most couples in such situations would choose the young over the old. Makes sense. One has a whole life ahead; the other has a limited time left. So, the elderly parent finds himself packed off to a welfare home. Says an operator of a care home, 'We understand and empathise with the situation. But do visit them regularly so they don't feel abandoned. 'What is not forgivable are adult children who are doing well financially, yet refuse to support or visit their parents. Eventually, when contact with the adult children is lost, there is no hope of a reconciliation.' These adult children obviously do not have a close relationship with their parents. Possible reasons could include cases of child abuse, whether physical, emotional or sexual. We have read about such cases where parents abandon or abuse their young children. Years later, these children recall bitter memories of their abusive childhood. They now find it virtually impossible to forgive their parents and want to sever blood ties with them. There are also cases where adult children refuse to continue supporting their parents who are addicted to drugs or to gambling and incur hefty debts for their children to take care of. All these issues could potentially be resolved with the Maintenance of Parents Act, with a Tribunal to oversee the implementation and listen to every case brought to them. The Tribunal would have legal powers to check the financial status of the adult son to see if he has the means to provide for his parent. If he has, the Tribunal can order him to pay for his parent's monthly maintenance. The Tribunal's foremost role is to seek reconciliation for both parties, and to propose the best solution. The quantum of maintenance support will depend on what the adult children can afford taking into consideration their financial position and commitments. This is similar to the court granting alimony for child support in a divorce case. So, why is there this hesitation in introducing the Maintenance of Parents Act? Not all cases brought before it guarantees a win for the parents. In cases where the adult children can prove they were abused by their parent in their childhood, the Tribunal can dismiss the parent's application for maintenance. With an MPA, elderly parents who can no longer fend for themselves can have at least recourse to appeal to the Tribunal. Most parents would not want to be a burden to their children. They would rather eat less, make do with bare minimum than compel their children to care for them in their old age if the children are themselves struggling. Or if the financial support is grudgingly given. It takes very little to make our parents feel loved and happy. A phone call to ask how they are doing, a small gift of their favourite snacks, spending quality time with them, a warm hug now and then – all these don't cost much, but the joy they bring to our parents is priceless. As parents ourselves, we need to ask ourselves whether we are good role models for our adult children. If our adult children and grandchildren seem lacking in respect for their elders, are we as much to blame? Have we pampered and mollycoddled them too much? Have we allowed them to get away with indiscipline and disrespect to their parents and grandparents? The home is the first place for learning, and parents are the children's first teachers. How we treat our elderly parents is how our children will treat us one day in our old age. They will learn from us. What examples are we giving them? No matter how badly our parents may have treated us in the past, we can't stand by and do nothing for them in their time of need. This is not a game of tit-for-tat or revenge. Their blood runs in our veins. Lily Fu is a gerontologist who advocates for seniors. She is founder of SeniorsAloud, an online platform for seniors to connect and enjoy social activities for ageing well.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Niti Aayog set to unveil plan for elderly care
A high-level inter-ministerial panel headed by NITI Aayog member VK Paul will soon unveil an action plan for holistic care of India's ageing population, in line with international best practices, a senior government official aware of the deliberations told ET. Some of the policy interventions on the cards include a dedicated nutrition programme for senior citizens , mandatory savings plan, comprehensive health insurance, old-age housing, affordable high-quality assistive devices, enhanced pension coverage and revision in pension amount to account for inflation, the official said. One in every five Indians is projected to be above 60 years of age by the middle of the century. It is estimated that 75% of the elderly have one or more chronic diseases, over 50% experience mobility restrictions, 32% have low life satisfaction, 78% are without any pension cover while 70% are dependent on everyday maintenance, prompting the government to look at comprehensive measures. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo The move is in line with the BJP's poll promise of 2024 wherein the party's manifesto touched upon the need for elderly care in the wake of major societal change to ensure overall support to India's ageing population. "The policy roadmap will focus on health, social, economic and digital empowerment of the elderly and will see a series of reforms proposed across these four pillars," the official said. Live Events The policy prescription could suggest enhanced engagement of the private sector, funding from corporate social responsibility (CSR) and inter-sectoral convergence. The policy could also propose legal reforms for strengthening the existing Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act for greater accountability while also mooting housing sector reforms to develop dedicated housing facilities for the elderly.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Call for legislation to protect ageing population
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia's elderly population continues to grow rapidly, experts are urging the government to introduce a Senior Citizen Act, warning that older adults remain vulnerable under a healthcare system already strained by a severe shortage of geriatric specialists. Universiti Putra Malaysia's Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing director Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim said the absence of comprehensive legislation has led to weak accountability and increasing vulnerability among the elderly. Rahimah highlighted the critical shortage of geriatricians as one of the most pressing issues. 'As of 2024, there are only 60 such specialists nationwide. With Malaysia projected to have 5.49 million elderly citizens by 2030, we would need at least 549 geriatricians to meet the ideal ratio of one per 10,000 seniors. 'Currently, we're producing just eight geriatricians a year. That will only bring the total to 108 by 2030, far below what's needed,' she said. She explained that Malaysia's ageing population faces a range of challenges, including limited access to healthcare, weakening family support structures and increasing financial insecurity. Noting a rise in elderly abandonment cases at hospitals and care homes, Rahimah said such incidents are often the result of urban migration, dual-income household pressures and the erosion of traditional family support systems. She also referenced Employees Provident Fund data from October 2024, which showed that only 36% of active members met the Basic Savings threshold of RM240,000 by age 55, raising concerns about retirees' ability to support themselves. Universiti Teknologi Mara senior lecturer Dr Nur Amalina Aziz echoed these concerns, observing that elderly individuals are increasingly being left at hospitals and welfare homes, sometimes permanently. 'When contacted, these families are often unreachable. Abandonment is frequently due to a lack of family support, financial hardship, strained relationships or disputes,' she explained. Amalina, who also researches issues affecting older persons, stressed the urgent need for legislation that explicitly protects senior citizens from neglect and abuse. 'The law must include clear obligations, mandatory reporting procedures and definitions of abuse, neglect and abandonment. 'It should also provide emergency shelters, professional medical support, a dedicated helpline and a one-stop agency for the protection of older persons,' she noted. She pointed out that although Malaysia introduced the National Policy for Older Persons in 1995 and revised it in 2011, there is still no specific law prioritising the needs of senior citizens. 'Many rural areas lack proper facilities. Attention and resources remain concentrated in urban zones, leaving many older people underserved and at risk. 'The rights of the elderly are often generalised in existing policies, without tailored approaches to address their unique needs,' she added. Amalina highlighted Japan and Singapore as models in addressing the challenges of an ageing population. 'Japan's Elder Abuse Prevention Act and Employment Stabilisation Act help prevent mistreatment and promote job opportunities for older individuals. 'Singapore introduced the Vulnerable Adults Act in 2018 to protect those, especially seniors, who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. 'Both countries go beyond welfare. They focus on freedom from abuse, financial security and access to lifelong learning and employment opportunities.' She emphasised that older Malaysians are not a burden and should be empowered to live independently, remain active and feel included in society. 'Older people have given so much to the country, yet many now feel unsafe and unsupported at home. 'Family and community support are key to preventing elder abandonment, but families need proper training to care for their ageing loved ones,' she said. 'With the right knowledge, they can give better, more respectful care. Many elderly victims stay silent due to poor health or fear of losing their career, which is why public awareness and mandatory reporting are so important.'
